[LI E90]

01/14/2009, 12:22 PM
High-Performance
AMG boss says “horsepower war” is over


Mercedes-Benz’ AMG performance brand is best known for its wildly powerful vehicles, but the division’s era of 600+ horsepower creations looks to be coming to an end. Instead, the performance brand will look to use other approaches to ensure AMG levels of performance.

Car enthusiasts have enjoyed a horsepower run over the last few years that makes a 400 horsepower car seem underpowered, but AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg warns those days are over. “The horsepower war is over,” he told Autocar. “We are going to use other ways to extract better performance, including weight saving, engine optimisation and alternative technologies.”

The move to reduce power is a direct result of more stringent emissions regulations worldwide, but that doesn’t mean AMG will be producing boring cars anytime soon. Mornhinweg indicated that the upcoming E63 AMG would be the first vehicle to display AMG’s new way of thinking, with the new performance sedan being lighter and more efficient that its predecessor — all while delivering better performance. However, the next E63 AMG is only the start of the division’s green movement, with diesels, hybrids and possibly even smaller four-cylinder models on the way.

[Crimson92]

seen this coming for a while now....i think its great honestly

instead of trying to win a race by brute force, lets try making our cars lighter, more aerodynamic, handle better.

i think its better for everyone.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

seen this coming for a while now....i think its great honestly

instead of trying to win a race by brute force, lets try making our cars lighter, more aerodynamic, handle better.

i think its better for everyone.

+1000

My 993 with it's snail-like horsepower is a lot more fun to drive than a 600 horsepower AMG pig, imho.

Mfgs should go back to building cars that emphasize driving experience rather than simply off-the-line power. (e.g., Lotus)

On the track (SCCA, e.g.), cars are raced in class type and horsepower is generally equal. Winning is based on driver's skill and chassis tuning. Racing a Healy MK IV Sprite with only 72 hp is still a lot of fun.

[mmm def]

Good.

[BillLee]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

seen this coming for a while now....i think its great honestly

instead of trying to win a race by brute force, lets try making our cars lighter, more aerodynamic, handle better.

i think its better for everyone.

yup, cant wait to see what they have!

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

seen this coming for a while now....i think its great honestly

instead of trying to win a race by brute force, lets try making our cars lighter, more aerodynamic, handle better.

i think its better for everyone.

and for the driving thrills/pleasure as well!

[hanmaas]

it's good that they finally decided to go down the road of light weight, engine optimization, BETTER HANDLING etc.. but i don't see why they should stop improving engine output. they should focus on both .

[Deda]

well..very good! nobody needs 600hp for normal daily car!

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by Deda

well..very good! nobody needs 600hp for normal daily car!

i do

[jj thumper]

Give me a 3000 pound, 3.0 liter, and 300 hp and 300 tq engine, almost there =)

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by jj thumper

Give me a 3000 pound, 3.0 liter, and 300 hp and 300 tq engine, almost there =)

m coupe is up your alley

[hanmaas]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

i do

+1

[JHFW89225]

Originally Posted by hanmaas

+1

+2 who doesnt love power?

[andyffer]

Its like people think it is so fast compared to BMW because of the sheer power.
Not the weight, etc.